Rainbow bagels are a fun and colorful twist on the classic treat! These chewy, brightly striped bagels are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
Making them is a blast, especially when you see all those vibrant colors come together. I love enjoying mine with cream cheese for a tasty breakfast that feels like a party! 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bread Flour: This gives bagels their chewy texture. If you don’t have bread flour, all-purpose flour can work in a pinch, but you may lose some chewiness.
Yeast: Active dry yeast is great for this recipe. If you have instant yeast, you can use that too; just mix it directly with the flour instead of activating it first!
Food Coloring Gels: Gel colors are best since they won’t water down the dough. Liquid food coloring is okay, but you might need to adjust the wet ingredients slightly.
Baking Soda: This is essential for boiling the bagels, giving them that nice outer crust. No substitutions here, but don’t skip this step!
Nonpareils or Sprinkles: These are optional for topping, but they add a fun touch! You could also use coarse sea salt for a contrasting flavor.
How Do I Knead Dough for the Perfect Texture?
Kneading is crucial for building gluten in the dough, which gives bagels their awesome texture. Here’s how to do it right:
- Start on a lightly floured surface. Don’t add too much flour at once to avoid a dry dough.
- Use the heel of your hand to push the dough away from you, then fold it back over itself.
- Turn the dough a quarter turn and repeat the pushing and folding for about 8-10 minutes.
- You want a smooth, elastic dough. If it feels sticky, sprinkle a tiny bit of flour as you knead.
Sometimes I use a dough hook in my stand mixer to save time, which takes about 6-8 minutes!
How to Make Rainbow Bagels
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bagels:
- 4 cups bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- Food coloring gels in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing)
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (for boiling water)
- Rainbow nonpareils or multicolored sprinkles (optional, for topping)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This fun recipe will take you about 15 minutes to prep, around 1 hour and 15 minutes to rise and chill, and 30 minutes to bake. So in total, you’re looking at about 2 hours. Perfect for a tasty project in the kitchen!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
Start by taking a small bowl and mixing the warm water, yeast, and sugar together. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it gets all bubbly and foamy. That’s how you know it’s ready to go!
2. Prepare the Dough:
In a big mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt. Then, create a little well in the middle of the flour and pour in your yeast mixture. Mix everything together until it starts forming a dough.
3. Knead the Dough:
Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and start kneading! Knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it’s nice and smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer, you can use the dough hook for about 6-8 minutes instead.
4. Divide and Color the Dough:
Now, divide your dough into 6 equal pieces. Add a different food coloring gel to each ball and knead them separately until the colors are fully mixed in. To keep your hands from staining, you might want to use gloves or plastic wrap.
5. Rest and Chill:
Cover each colored dough ball with plastic wrap and let them rest for about 15-20 minutes. This makes it easier to work with them later on.
6. Form Rainbow Strands:
Time to get creative! Roll each piece of colored dough into ropes about 8-10 inches long. Try to make them even for the best results!
7. Assemble the Bagels:
Press all 6 colored ropes together side by side, gently pinching them to stick. Twist and roll them together to create a fun spiral design. Then, join the ends to form a bagel shape. Looks awesome, right?
8. Proof the Bagels:
Put your shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Cover them loosely with a kitchen towel and let them rise for about 45 minutes until they feel puffy and have grown a bit in size.
9. Boil the Bagels:
While your bagels are proofing, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Fill a big pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the baking soda to the water. Carefully drop in the bagels, 2-3 at a time, and let them boil for about 1 minute on each side. When they’re done, use a slotted spoon to take them out and put them back on the baking sheet.
10. Add Toppings:
While your bagels are still wet from boiling, sprinkle them generously with rainbow nonpareils or multicolored sprinkles. This is where the fun really comes in!
11. Bake the Bagels:
Place the bagels in your preheated oven and bake them for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden brown. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
12. Cool:
After baking, remove the bagels from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Patience is key!
13. Serve and Enjoy:
Your beautiful, colorful rainbow bagels are ready! Slice them and enjoy with your favorite spreads or tasty fillings. They’re not just a treat for the eyes but also for the taste buds!
Can I Use All-Purpose Flour Instead of Bread Flour?
Yes, you can! All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute in this recipe, but the bagels may turn out slightly softer and less chewy than if you used bread flour.
How Do I Store Leftover Bagels?
Store any leftover bagels in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them and reheat in a toaster or oven when ready to eat.
Can I Make These Bagels Without Food Coloring?
Absolutely! If you prefer natural colors or simply want plain bagels, you can skip the food coloring entirely. They will still taste delicious!
What Is the Best Way to Reheat Bagels?
The best way to reheat bagels is to slice them in half and toast them in a toaster or under the broiler in your oven for a few minutes. This helps bring back that warm, fresh-from-the-oven texture!
